1946 -1976

The following information is based on information from Wikipedia (I’ll update where necessary)

The Central Flying School opened again in 1946 at RAF Little Rissington and during the severe winter of 1946 – 1947, RAF Little Rissington was cut-off from the outside world by blizzards. After two days of digging, contact was re-established with the outside world in the shape of the Old New Inn at Bourton-on-the-Water, which was to become a second home for generations of QFIs. In 1948 the CFS task was to turn out 240 QFIs per year and this was increased by the end of the year to 360. Flying took place on the Tiger Moth, Harvard, Mosquito, Lancaster, Spitfire and one hour on the Vampire was included in the course, to give some jet experience. At this time RAF South Cerney was opened for the basic phase of the CFS Course. The Empire Flying School disbanded in 1949 and the Examining Squadron rejoined CFS. In response to Government calls for further economy, South Cerney was closed for about a year, the course was shortened and type flying was limited to the Meteor. The following year the Korean War broke out, the commitment rose to 750 students per year and South Cerney was re-opened. Things don’t change much. In the early 1950s the first Chipmunks in RAF service were flown by the Oxford University Air Squadron; thereafter, the type replaced the Tiger Moth with all 17 University Air Squadrons, as well as equipping CFS and many RAF Volunteer Reserve flying schools. The RAF received a total of 735 Chipmunks which were manufactured in the UK.

In 1952 the Central Flying School Association (CFSA) was formally established. Membership of the Association is open to all past and present personnel on the posted strength of CFS and an annual reunion and dinner is held at CFS. It was at about this time that the first CFS Meteor aerobatic team began to make its name, led by Flight Lieutenant Caryl Gordon who was later to become the Duke of Edinburgh’s flying instructor.

RAF flying training became a two-stage scheme in 1953, using the Piston Provost and the Vampire and the following year RAF Little Rissington became CFS (Advanced) and RAF South Cerney became CFS (Basic). The same year the Helicopter Development Flight was formed with 2 Dragonfly helicopters at RAF Middle Wallop and later moved to RAF South Cerney. In 1954 the first RAF Jet Provost students commenced basic training. Their instructors were experienced QFIs who had been previously converted to type. The first CFS course to graduate Jet Provost QFIs was No 199 Course; they left CFS in November 1959. In the same year the CFS helicopters took the public eye when they formed part of the winning RAF team in the London-Paris Air Race. In 1960 the Central Flying School received a further honour when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother accepted the appointment of Commandant-in-Chief.

In 1962 Her Majesty received, on behalf of the School, the Cheltenham Sword when CFS was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Cheltenham, also in that year the first Gnat arrived at the school. Continuing the strong tradition of formation aerobatics at CFS, in 1964 the Red Pelicans were selected as the RAF Aerobatic Team. By 1965 the Yellow Jacks Gnat aerobatic team of RAF Valley reformed to become the Red Arrows and moved to RAF Kemble, near to Little Rissington, under the command of the Commandant. The team later became the official Royal Air Force aerobatic display team and their polished performance was recognised in 1966 by the award of the Britannia Trophy by the Royal Aero Club. For more information see “Formation Aerobatics”

Her Majesty the queen presented the Central Flying School with the Queen’s Colour in 1969, after initial resistance to the proposal within the Service had been overcome by the interest of the Commandant-in-Chief. The Commandant had the honour of meeting Her Majesty while seated in a wheelchair, having broken both ankles in an accident only a few weeks previously. The early 70s were a period of relative stability for CFS. Some innovations were made to the content of the course and the Jet Provost Mk5 arrived. The Red Arrows travelled further afield, flying to the United States of America and Canada in 1972. This was also the year that saw the formation of the Vampire and Meteor display team the ‘Vintage Pair’. In 1973 the Bulldog replaced the Chipmunk and the Jetstream replaced the Varsity in the CFS inventory, although following an accident the Jetstream was withdrawn from service for a few years. The fuel crisis resulted in the demise of the Red Pelicans and in 1974 the School lost its independent Group status and became part of 23 Group. In 1976 the long stay at RAF Little Rissington ended.

For more information click <a href=”http://www.centralflyingschool.org.uk/History/History3.htm”>here</a>

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I was stationed at CFS Little Rissington on National Service from 1948-1950 and my name then was LAC Harold GAVATZMAN ( Nickname ” HANK “). I have not been in contact with any of my Air force mates since demob.I remember a few of my friends as : Kenneth ROSE from Leicester and one called Woods from Wednesbury and another from Glasgow. They would possibly either be my age 84,or even dead by now, but it would be interesting to hear from anyone who was stationed at CFS Little Rissington in those years.